Visa Information

More skilled migration pathways for international students!

International students wishing to study and work in Western Australia now have 331 occupations to choose from following the addition of 194 new options recently added to the Graduate Occupation List by the Western Australian Government.

Western Australia’s thriving economy means there are plenty of job opportunities, and the new initiative aims to attract a broad and diverse range of skills to help alleviate skills shortages and meet future workforce needs.

The skilled migration pathway will also provide international students graduating in WA with the option to apply for permanent residence. 

Offering a world-class education in a world-class city, Perth is ready and has the capacity and appetite for growth across all sectors.

Perth has always offered a warm welcome and we are looking forward to opening the doors to more international students. Perth offers a unique opportunity for international students seeking to migrate or remain in Australia for a period of time following their graduation with a number of skilled and post-study work visas offered by the Department of Home Affairs International Students page.

See below for what international students who graduate from a Western Australian institution may be eligible for.

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Read blogs about all aspects of living, studying and working in Perth.

Post-Study Work Visa (subclass 485)

As a student studying in Perth, you may be eligible for a Temporary Graduate Visa and Second Temporary Graduate Visa. The Temporary Graduate Visa (TGV) provides recent international graduates with the opportunity to spend time in Australia following their studies, gaining practical work experience to accompany their Australian qualification.

These visas are for international students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution and maintained residence in Western Australia. In Perth, this visa usually allows you to stay in Australia following your studies for between 4 and 6 years (extended duration following Government anouncement), depending on your qualification.

For regional centres outside of Perth, this visa usually allows you to stay in Australia for up to 7 years.

Students currently studying offshore may also be eligible to apply for a post-study work visa so long as they meet the requirements of the Department of Home Affairs.

For further information including eligibility, visit the Department of Home Affairs website below.

Learn More

Skilled Visas

This visa requires you to be nominated by the Western Australian government and allows you to stay in Australia for 5 years to live, work and study in designated regional areas, for example, Perth.

You may be eligible if you:

  • are nominated to apply by a state or territory government agency, or an eligible relative must sponsor you
  • have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list 
  • have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
  • are invited to apply
  • satisfy the points test

This visa does allow you to apply for permanent residence after 3 years and to travel in and out of Australia whilst the visa is valid.

Learn more on the Department of Home Affairs website.

This visa requires you to be nominated by an employer. It allows for regional employers to address identified labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers where employers can't source an appropriately skilled Australian worker. This visa allows for a stay in Australia up to 5 years to live, work and study in designated regional areas, for example Perth.

You may be eligible if you:

  • are nominated by an approved work sponsor
  • have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list
  • have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
  • are under 45 years of age
  • meet minimum standards of English language proficiency

This visa does allow you to apply for permanent residence after 3 years and to travel in and out of Australia whilst the visa is valid.

Learn more on the Department of Home Affairs website.

This visa enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers where employers can't source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.

You may be eligible if you:

  • are nominated for a skilled position by an approved sponsor
  • have the right skills to do the job
  • meet the relevant English language requirements

Learn more on the Department of Home Affairs website.

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